Growing Seeds
“To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God?” (Luke 13:20)
“To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God?” (Luke 13:20)
For those of you with children, you may have played the game with them when they were little that went something like this. “How big is <insert name here>?” And with your arms outstretched, you would exclaim, “SOOO BIGGG.” That is how I would compare the Kingdom of God…SOOO BIGGG. I imagine Jesus with His arms outstretched, reaching from the East to the West to show the immense amount of love He has for us.
But how did that all happen? It was God who planted that smallest of all seeds, the mustard seed and it grew into something that all the birds wanted to dwell on. Isn’t that Jesus for you and me? Isn’t that seed Jesus, planted in our hearts, wanting to grow within us, to help us become more like Him?
Growth in Jesus Christ comes from a deep and rich faith in Him and our Catholic traditions. It comes from us not only believing in Him but being a witness for Him, living out our lives as the good and faithful servants He has called each of us to be. Just like the small mustard seed that grew into a large bush that was home for many, our smallest acts of faith towards one another, especially those who are strangers or on the fringes, can have a significant impact not only on them but also on us. And just like the yeast mixed in with the wheat flour (which activates the dough to rise), we too must be active participants in our faith so that we can help others come to know the beauty and sanctity of His Holy Kingdom.
What seeds will you plant today to continue to grow the Kingdom of God?
Lord Jesus, may I be a faithful steward of the seeds of faith you have planted in my life. Amen.
Deacon Mike Ryba was called to further share the love and mercy of Jesus Christ when he entered Diaconate Formation for the Diocese of Joliet, IL in 2011. In 2016 he was ordained a Permanent Deacon. Up through 2022, he worked in IT for 40 years in a variety of industries, the last 30 years in management. He has since taken on a pastoral position as Director of Parish Life at St. Timothy's in Lutz. He was born and raised in the Chicagoland area and that is where he met his wife, Lisa. They have been married for 35 years and have 3 children, 6 grandchildren, and 2 grandpups. They relocated, for the second time, to the Tampa area in 2018. He is an avid sports fan and although he still follows his Chicago teams, he now cheers on the teams of “ChampaBay;” especially the Lightning as that is his favorite sport to play and to watch. Go Bolts!
